Forget gold, we prefer copper and Coppersmith, where the food is delicious, the drinks are just how you like them and everyone knows your name. This pub with poise puts the city at your fingertips: it’s tucked away in scenic South Melbourne, just a short hop from the CBD.

At the hotel

Our favourite rooms

We love Queen Room Nine, whose tiny balcony edges onto the original parapet wall. Room One is a beauty, thanks to its generous views of Clarendon Street; Corner Room Two is the hotel's one and only King Suite, it has four big windows, so has lashings of light.

Packing tips

Bring a thirst and some tall tales for the locals and gregarious owner George at the bar.

Also

The hotel has two disabled-access rooms.

Children

Little Smiths are very welcome, though rooms are set up for couples. Babysitting can be arranged with 12 hours’ notice ($30 an hour; a three-hour minimum applies); and baby cots or extra beds (for under-12s) can be added to parents' rooms for free.

Food and Drink

Top Table

Stake out the round copper table in the bar and sink a few bottles of champagne into its centre.

Dress Code

Pay tribute to local designers: Life with Bird and Gorman for the ladies; Incu or Claude Maus for the chaps.

Hotel restaurant

Unpretentious but utterly delicious dishes that showcase seasonal local produce and traditional techniques (plus some modern tricks, too) are whipped up by head chef Andrea Papapostolou, who previously charmed Melburnian diners at the popular Italian restaurant, Cicciolina. At Coppersmith, he has devised one of those playful menus that tempt you with every choice. We’re talking John Dee gold scotch fillet, braised pork cheek with caramlised cauliflower puree and pickled florets, and barramundi with saffron gallette, scallops, radish and a baby cucumber salad. Don’t dismiss the braised lamb shoulder to share either, but do remember to save room for the Valrhona dark chocolate and mint truffl – it's rather splendid.

Hotel bar

It’s not hard to see you’re in a liquor-loving establishment: just look at the decorative displays of glittering bottles of Belvedere, Chandon and Veuve Clicquot that line the walls and the boozy reads – Barfly, Winestate and so on. There are 18 craft beer taps showcasing brews from Victoria and beyond; wine-lovers can work through the mainly Australian labels (with notable European inclusions). There's always a white and red wine on tap, too – a Saint Hallett's shiraz or zesty New Zealand sauvignon blanc, perhaps – or ask drinks manager Ben Eastonabout the wine of the month. Brits are well catered for, thanks to top-notch cider and exemplary G&Ts. On a hot day or balmy night, take your drink to the rooftop deck, with its living wall and pretty fairy lights.

Last orders

Drink until around midnight (unless there’s a lock-in while you’re here); eat until 9pm in the restaurant.

Room service

Don’t want to leave your room? You don’t have to – meals and snacks can be brought to you. You can also tailor your minibar to three options: ‘green, leafy and well-behaved’, ‘salty, tangy and well-brewed’ or ‘classic, staple and well-made’.

Location

Address

Coppersmith

435 Clarendon Street

South Melbourne

3205

Australia

Coppersmith enjoys a prime location: it’s a short tram ride from the CBD but tucked away in peaceful South Melbourne, at the ‘Paris’ end of Clarendon Street (the prettiest, quietest bit, with the best boutiques, bars and restaurants).

Planes

It takes about 30–40 minutes to get to the hotel from Tullamarine Airport (melbourneairport.com.au); a taxi will cost you around AU$55, or you can hop on the Skybus to Southern Cross station and get the 112 tram towards St Kilda.

Trains

Forget trains, make like a Melburnian and get the tram instead. You’ll need to get a Myki card first, though (ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki).

Automobiles

Melbourne’s public transport system is excellent (it’s also a city suited to pedestrians) but if you want to bring wheels, there’s plenty of public parking within a two-block radius of the hotel. Ticketed parking is available in the Albert Road service lane.

Worth getting out of bed for

Just minutes away from the picturesque Albert Park Lake (definitely worth promenading around on a sunny day, perhaps with a picnic hamper in hand), Coppersmith is perfectly placed to explore the best of Melbourne. Motor mavens can walk (or drive) around the racetrack of the Australian Grand Prix; if you're staying in March, watch the professionals carve up the track. Paddock-to-plate is the main mantra at South Melbourne Market, where local produce is king. Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, meat and antipasti before stopping by Padre Coffee for beans by the bag and fresh blooms for your room. Mrs Smiths with a fondness for fashion should try Bali-based boutique Mister Zimi for 70s-inspired garments featuring pretty prints and polished patterns. You’ll find all your wardrobe staples at Filly’s Stable including the perfect white tee, summer scarfs and flirty knickers. Mr Smith, we haven't forgotten you; if you're in need of a new suit, look no further than P.Johnson, a 15-minute drive from the hotel at 29 Thomas Street, Windsor. On Friday nights, head to the Coppersmith's rooftop bar and watch the firework displays in the Docklands. Helpful staff will recommend a trusted hairdresser or local yoga studio if you want to perfect your barnet or downward dog.

Local restaurants

South Melbourne is a melting pot of cultures, boasting a slew of top-notch restaurants, all within easy reach. Locals might not thank us for spilling the beans on their top secrets, but Andrew’s Hamburgers (+61 (0)3 9690 2126) is an unassuming burger joint producing some of Melbourne’s best meat treats. Play safe with a traditional burger or veer off for a FiveO Hawaiian or Sanchez Mexican. Tempura Hajime (+61 (0)3 9696 0051) is a one-hat 12-seat tempura restaurant offering refined Japanese food in an intimate setting. For tasty Thai treats, mosey on over to Sugarcane (+61 (0)3 9699 3637), open for dinner seven nights a week.

Local cafés

Coffee connoisseurs: make a beeline to St Ali (+61 (0)3 9686 2990), one of the original bean roasters taking Melbourne, and then the world, by storm. Stop for a breakfast platter and a specialty blend or visit later in the day for an accomplished lunch. Stop by The Kettle Black (+61 (0)3 9088 0721) on your way to the city for coffee and doughnuts, or try something a little heartier. Expect critic-pleasing combinations, even on the breakfast menu ­­­­­­­– ­­­­­Flinders Island wallaby, house-fermented yoghurt and King Island crayfish, for example.

Local bars

We’re sweet on Honey Bar (+61 (0)3 9696 3311), which has a designer bar and a balcony with sweeping city views. The extensive list of wines, beers and cocktails ­- plus a pretty impressive food menu ­­­­­­­– will have you parked there for most of the night. A stalwart of South Melbourne, The Railway (+61 (0)3 9690 5092) has been intoxicating locals for as long as anyone can remember. Drop by for a pint and porterhouse (a snip at $15) on Wednesday nights. Hercules Morse(+61 (0)3 9690 9402) is the place for drinks with all the trimmings: try Nanna Morse’s Cuppa, a dainty teacup filled with a mix of gin, lemon juice, Frangelico, gingerbread syrup and a sherbety dash of egg white.

Reviews

Anonymous review

Every hotel featured is visited personally by members of our team, given the Smith seal of approval, and then anonymously reviewed. As soon as our reviewers have returned from this intoxicating hotel in South Melbourne and unpacked their terrariums and design finds, a full account of their luxury city break will be with you. In the meantime, to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick peek inside Coppersmith in Melbourne…

Since 1870, this Clarendon Street boozer has been whetting Melburnians' thirsts and sending them home in a worse state than they were in when they arrived. Back then, the pub was called the Cricket Club, and you probably wouldn’t have wanted to wake up upstairs (you wouldn’t have got much sleep, either, and there certainly weren’t any trendy terrariums knocking around). These days, things are very different. The alcohol remains, for sure, but there’s an emphasis on top-notch dining, too. British chef Daniel Southern will distract you from the drinks cabinet with his accomplished comfort food; he’ll rustle you up a mean cooked breakfast the next morning, too.

If you bed down here now, you’re guaranteed a blissful night’s sleep. The pretty, fuss-free rooms are decorated with a lemon-meringue-pie colour scheme: lashings of white, pepped up with cheery hits of lemon-yellow here and there. You won’t forget what city you’re in, thanks to the local minibar treats – Emma & Tom muesli bars, Whisk & Pin Rocky Road treats, Wondersnack popcorn and so on. Rooms are decorated with terrariums from the florist just down the road, Ivy and Eve.

Nearby Thomson Street was named after a former mayor and coppersmith, Ebeneezer Drummond Menzies Thomson. Just like Ebeneezer, Coppersmith champions artisan craftsmanship: Italian honed marble and steel polished with English beeswax in the bar; Ross Gardam and Oak & Elm furniture in rooms. Owner George was personally in charge of choosing all the bar's glasses; he even weighed the steak knives to make sure they were ergonomically supreme. We could happily continue to sing this city hotel’s charms from the rooftop (deck), but to get the best idea of the place, befriend brilliant George, who will tell you the full story over a Somerset cider (or five).

The Guestbook

Whenever you book a stay at a Smith hotel or villa, we’ll invite you to review it when you get back. Read what other Smith members had to say in Coppersmith’s Guestbook below.

We loved

Great location. Simple but just what we needed.

Rating

ByJacqueline, SilverSmith

Stayed on 15 Feb 2019

We loved

The clean well appointed room with high ceilings.

Don’t expect

Concierge.

Rating

ByGiulia, BlackSmith

Stayed on 8 Feb 2019

We loved

The hotel was in a great location, in South Melbourne. Tram stop right in front, and still a close walking distance to the market, good cafes and restaurants. South Melbourne beach is also nearby. The hotel has a really minimalist feel to it, which we really liked.

Don’t expect

Good views. Also, the air-conditioning was very loud, so on hot nights was annoying. The rooftop bar was closed for an event which was annoying as that's one of the features of the hotel.

Rating

ByNatasha, BlackSmith

Stayed on 30 Nov 2018

We loved

We loved the lively gastropub downstairs, the large room and the seamless check-in and check-out.

Don’t expect

Much in the way of hotel facilities beyond the rooms (lounge areas etc).

Rating

ByBen, BlackSmith

Stayed on 28 Dec 2017

We loved

That it's close to the city; the clean and modern boutique look.

Don’t expect

Lack of views with windows (blocked by the building's structure).

Rating

ByFranki, BlackSmith

Stayed on 9 Nov 2017

We loved

The location is great, and the South Melbourne vibe is fantastic. Staff are great and extremely helpful.

Don’t expect

This is a really nicely renovated pub, but it's a pub rather than a resort.